STOCKHOLM— Djurgården

This green island is found close to central Stockholm and is very popular with both city dwellers and tourists. This island has been royal land since the 15th century and is a place to relax away from the hustle of the city centre. It is a great place to walk especially around the Djurgårdsbrunn Canal and Blockhusudden. Djurgården is also home to several museums and attractions and you can enjoy the many cafes and restaurants that you can find here. Djurgården can be reached by crossing a bridge on foot, by ferry boat from Gamla Stan or Slussen, by tram from Norrmalmstorg or by bus.

Skansen
This open-air museum is the first of its kind in the world and it opened in 1891. You could spend a whole day here because there is so much to see. The park is like visiting historic Sweden but in miniature. The 150 farms and buildings that you see are all original and were dismantled from the areas they represent and were reconstructed here. There are towns demonstrating crafts such as glass blowing, pottery, a tinsmith’s workshop and a bakery. There are manor houses and a wooden church as well as a zoo with native Scandinavian animals such as moose, bears, lynxes, wolves, wolverines and seals. Festivals and holidays are celebrated here throughout the year and Christmas in particular is a very special event with a Christmas market and food. There are cafes and restaurants to enjoy typical Swedish food.
For information about Skansen visit the website: http://www.skansen.se

✈ Traveller's Tip ✈

Skansen is quite a hilly place so good walking shoes are a must. There is a tram that you can take to the top and then it is easier to walk back downhill.

Gröna Lund Tivoli
This relatively small amusement park is Sweden’s oldest and it is found on the seaward side of Djurgården Island. It is in a beautiful setting being right beside the water and it can make a great day out for all the family. It gets busier in the afternoon depending on the time of year so be prepared to queue for some of the more popular rides. There are some ‘big thrill’ rides as well as those more suited to younger children. There are places to eat as well.
For information about Gröna Lund Tivoli visit the website: http://www.gronalund.com/en/

ABBA Museum
If you’re an ABBA fan then this is the museum for you. It recently opened and includes music, clothes, stories amongst other things associated with the band. You can even sit in the helicopter from the cover of one of their albums and there is a chance to sing with the band in a karaoke booth or dance on stage with holograms of the group.
For information about the museum visit the website: http://www.abbathemuseum.com

✈ Traveller's Tip ✈

This museum has been popular since it opened so it is a good idea to buy your tickets online in advance of when you want to go to avoid the queues.

If you buy your tickets at the office at the museum be aware that they only take credit cards.

The audio tour is well worth taking as it tells the story of ABBA’s history by the band members themselves.

Vasamuseet
The Vasa Museum is actually a well-preserved 17th century ship and the only one of its kind in the world. More than 95 percent of the ship is original and the hundreds of carvings that decorate the ship are just magnificent. The Vasa was a 69 metre-long warship that sank on its maiden voyage in 1628. It was salvaged in 1961 and for around 50 years it has been painstakingly restored. On the roof of the museum are three masts that give you an idea of the height of the original masts. You are not allowed on board the ship but you can walk through a recreation of a gundeck. There are exhibitions as well as a film to tell you about what life would have been like on board this ship. You can also take guided tours of the museum and details about these are found on the website.
For information about the museum visit the website: http://www.vasamuseet.se/en/

✈ Traveller's Tip ✈

It is a good idea to visit the theatre to see the film about the ship before actually visiting the ship itself.

Nordic Museum
This museum displays the cultural history of Sweden from the 16th century to today. The building is enormous but it was originally designed to be around three times larger. You enter the building through the aptly named Great Hall where there is a massive pink statue of King Gustav Vasa who was supposedly the founder of Sweden. Included in the collections are furniture, clothes, household objects and displays about Swedish traditions and customs. Children will enjoy the hands on appraoch where they can experience various occupations at the farm cottage, the mill, the stable and the general store.
For information about the museum visit the website: http://www.nordiskamuseet.se

Junibacken
This museum and children’s theatre is dedicated to the popular Swedish children’s writer Astrid Lindgren who created popular characters such as Pippi Longstocking, Emil of Lönneberga, Madicken and Karlsson-on-the-roof. This is a great place to visit if you have young children. There is a storybook train that takes you through the world of the author’s books as well as a play area with slides, a pirate ship, a plane and other equipment children can explore.
For information about Junibacken visit the website: http://www.junibacken.se/lang/english/

Rosendal’s Garden
Rosendal is an open garden with orchards, vineyards and roses as well as greenhouses. It is a lovely respite from the bustle of the other tourists areas of Stockholm. You can have a picnic here or there is a great cafe where you can get a light lunch, salads, sandwiches or cakes and cookies. All of the food is made using organic produce and the vegetables come from their garden and the bread is fresh from their bakery. You can either eat indoors, in the garden or take your tray out to the orchard and use the picnic tables. There is also a shop where you can buy selected organic foods, bread from the bakery, oils and vinaegers as well as ceramics.
For information about the garden visit the website: http://www.rosendalstradgard.se/section.php?id=0000000051

Waldemarsudde
This Art Museum was the home of the Swedish Prince Eugen of Sweden and Norway, Duke of Närke from 1899 until 1947. You can visit the reception rooms and see the collection of early 20th century Nordic Art. The prince was himself a painter and soon after his death the premises were converted to a museum of his own and other paintings. The location and the scenic surroundings provide the visitor stunning views of the inlet to Stockholm.
For information about Waldemarsudde visit the website: http://www.waldemarsudde.se/